Cassie paused on the top of the steps and scanned the forum below for Jonas and Jack. There was no sign of either. They must be in the cargo ship, Cassie mused. If she could make it down the steps, across the forum and into the jungle...
And then what?
How far to the Stargate? How far to the dragons' lair? There were days of walking ahead. She grimaced. How far did she think she would get before someone caught up with her?
And seriously; she had no water, no healing device, no common sense! Cassie snorted. She had stormed out of the hall on a whim like a child. She knew better.
Her body sagged downwards as the last of her energy drained away. She stumbled to sit on the top step.
'Decided against making a run for it?' Jack's caustic tone behind her made her flush.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw him leaning against the wall to the side of the doorway. She hadn't even noticed his presence.
Jack closed the distance between them and sat down beside her.
'It feels like we're giving up on Sam.' Cassie admitted tiredly.
'We're not.' He replied tersely.
'We're not?' Cassie retorted. 'Because leaving kind of feels, you know, like we're giving up.'
Jack's jaw tensed. 'Carter cared that you were injured.' He pointed out evenly. 'She's in there somewhere. There's a chance she can come back from this on her own and if she doesn't...we'll still be there for her.'
'I know but...' Cassie sighed heavily. 'I just feel like I haven't done enough to try and talk with the Queen. Maybe if we stop by the dragons on our way and I tried again...'
'Cassie...' Jack bit out before he caught himself and reigned himself back.
'I feel like Sam was counting on me to get her help, that you were all counting on me,' Cassie admitted miserably, 'and I...I failed.' There was a lump in her throat.
Jack stared at her for a long moment. 'C'mere.' He stretched out an arm and hugged her to him.
She went willingly, sliding her own arm around his waist; resting her head on his shoulder.
'You did good out there.' Jack said quietly. 'Whatever you showed the Queen made her let everyone go: that's a win in my book.'
'I didn't save Sam.' Cassie mumbled into his jacket.
'It's not your responsibility to save her.' Jack said firmly. 'You did your best; that's all you can do.'
'It wasn't enough.' Her fingers twisted the zipper on his BDU jacket.
'Sometimes it just...isn't.' Jack sighed.
They sat in silence, watching as the suns dipped lower in the sky.
A noise behind them had Jack glancing over his shoulder.
'Sir.' Mitchell hoisted the packs he was carrying. 'We're ready to pack up the cargo ship.'
Jack nodded and shuffled Cassie and himself to the side of the steps so the others could walk down.
Teal'c was last out, carefully guiding Sam past them and down the steps.
Jack gave Cassie a final squeeze. 'Come on. We don't want to miss our flight.'
Cassie attempted a smile at the joke but she couldn't quite manage it. 'Jack...' Cassie caught hold of his hand. 'I'm sorry about...before.'
He tapped her nose. 'You wanted to help. You have nothing to apologise for, Cassie.'
She let him help her up. She looked out a final time at the planet, wanting to lock it into her memory - and froze. One hand gripped Jack's arm as she pointed at the sky with the other.
'Jack!'
He looked up, following the direction of her finger. He stiffened at the sight of three dragons approaching. 'Son of a...'
Jack tugged at her arm and they hurried down the steps. Cassie tried to keep her footing on the worn stone as she ran quickly, trying to reach the others.
'Everyone into the cargo ship!' Jack yelled. 'Now!'
Rya'c turned at Jack's words and spotted the dragons. He called out a warning to the others.
Teal'c made to grab Sam but she eluded him and ran back towards the pyramid, back towards Cassie and Jack...the others set off to stop Sam...
The dragons were getting closer.
Jack let go of Cassie and caught hold of Sam as she made to run past into the pyramid. He struggled with her until Teal'c and Daniel caught up with them; helping to restrain her. Rya'c and Jonas reached Cassie. They placed an arm around her, supported her, half-carried her as they headed to the cargo ship. She was barely aware of Mitchell and Vala covering them all.
The dragons fell from the sky in front of them; between them and the ship. The ground shook as they landed.
Cassie recognised one immediately. It was Puff! She let go of the others and moved forward without thinking. The baby dragon bounded happily towards her. Joy filled Cassie to the brim as her arms went around the baby dragon. She hugged the dragon close and felt its own joy at being reunited with her. Love and happiness raced through her veins.
'Puff!' Cassie pulled back and looked at it with a wide smile. 'You came back!'
'Cassie?' Jack's quiet voice intruded and she glanced behind her to see him stood in front of Sam with Teal'c. Daniel and Jonas both had their arms around the injured woman, holding her steady. Mitchell and Vala were ranged either side closing the defensive circle.
'Puff came back.' Cassie said needlessly as she straightened.
Jack nodded. 'I see that.' He gestured with his head towards the two adult dragons Puff had brought with him. 'Who are its friends?'
She looked back to the others and straight into the yellow eyes of a silver dragon; the Queen!
Cassie froze. 'It's the Queen and...a guard, I guess?'
'The Queen, you say?' Jack's eyes swept over them. 'What do they want?'
She felt a strange sensation; a tickle across the forefront of her mind. She looked sharply at the silver dragon with foreboding remembering her previous experience.
It bowed its head and looked her deeply in the eyes. I do not wish to harm you, child.
Cassie suddenly found it hard to breathe. The voice was melodic and perfect; it was tinged with a maternal overtone that reminded Cassie of her Mom. 'I can hear you.' I can hear you.
'Cassie?' Jack asked again impatiently.
'I can hear her, Jack. In my head.' Cassie explained. 'She doesn't mean to harm us.'
'Is she here to help Carter?' Jack asked brusquely.
Cassie turned back to the dragon. Sam, she thought strongly at the dragon, can you help her?
The silver dragon cast a look at the green dragon beside her before she dipped her head back to Cassie. After you shared your memories, child, I realised what had happened. Those who went to greet your kin did not realise your sister could not hear them as you can hear us. The psychic connection was too much for her. They meant no harm. Her green eyes flickered to Jack. This one attacked and we believed your kin to be the same as those that once imprisoned us.
Cassie winced. Jack was only trying to protect her.
We understand this now, the silver dragon concurred. We will try to help. Bring her forward.
'Jack, they're going to help.' Cassie said quickly. 'They want us to bring her forward.'
Jack hesitated for a long moment.
'Jack.' Daniel said.
'Daniel.' Jack replied calmly.
'We have to trust them.' Daniel said quietly. 'We have to try.'
Jack sighed and nodded.
Teal'c took Sam's arm and escorted her forward to stand beside Cassie. He bowed his head to the Queen before he moved back.
Cassie put her arm around Sam and looked up at the silver dragon. Now what, she thought.
Now, we try to repair what we damaged, the silver dragon said smartly. We will need you to act as the conduit. Sit on the ground and place your arms around your sister.
Cassie urged Sam to sit and dropped to sit behind her. She placed her arms around Sam's waist. She could feel the other woman trembling in her hold. 'It's OK, Sam.' Cassie whispered in her ear. 'Remember what you told me in the bunker? Be brave.'
Sam stilled.
'Cassie?' Jack sounded anxious and concerned.
'It's OK.' Cassie tried to reassure him but her own voice shook with fear and nerves.
The baby dragon dropped to lie beside them and placed its head on Cassie's thigh. The silver dragon slowly folded its legs underneath it; it lowered its head and Cassie closed her eyes as its forehead touched her own.
Be calm, child, the silver dragon whispered. All will be well. Open your mind as you did before.
Cassie breathed in and tried to do as the dragon asked; tried to ignore the previous memory of pain and cold...
